General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Shrub
Tree
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Partial or Dappled Shade
Water Preferences: Mesic
Dry Mesic
Soil pH Preferences: Moderately acid (5.6 – 6.0)
Slightly acid (6.1 – 6.5)
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 7a -17.8 °C (0 °F) to -15 °C (5 °F)
Maximum recommended zone: Zone 9b
Plant Height: 5 to 25 feet, rarely to 30 feet
Plant Spread: 4 to 15 feet
Leaves: Good fall color
Evergreen
Deciduous
Other: Shiny dark green turning deep red in fall; remains evergreen in southern locations.
Fruit: Showy
Edible to birds
Other: 1/4 inch globose, shiny black berry; each containing 8 to 10 tiny black to golden-brown deeply pitted seeds.
Fruiting Time: Summer
Late summer or early fall
Fall
Late fall or early winter
Other: Usually persists well into the winter months
Flowers: Showy
Fragrant
Flower Color: White
Other: Pinkish-white
Bloom Size: Under 1"
Flower Time: Spring
Late spring or early summer
Summer
Suitable Locations: Xeriscapic
Uses: Provides winter interest
Flowering Tree
Wildlife Attractant: Bees
Birds
Butterflies
Resistances: Humidity tolerant
Drought tolerant
Propagation: Seeds: Suitable for wintersowing
Sow in situ
Can handle transplanting
Propagation: Other methods: Cuttings: Stem
Pollinators: Various insects
Containers: Needs repotting every 2 to 3 years

Image
Common names
  • Farkleberry
  • Sparkleberry
  • Huckleberry
  • Whortleberry
  • Gooseberry

Photo Gallery
Location: my Zone 7b garden in North Georgia Mountains
Date: 2023-10-31
Location: Northeastern, Texas
Date: April, 2011
The small trees are full of blooms in spring
Location: my Zone 7b garden in North Georgia Mountains
Date: 2023-05-18
Location: my Zone 7b garden in North Georgia Mountains
Date: 2023-05-18
Location: my Zone 7b garden in North Georgia Mountains
Date: 2023-05-18
Location: Northeastern, Texas
Date: 2011-10-10
The berries are edible and food for wildlife through fall and win
Location: Magnolia, Texas
Date: 2022-05-07
Bloom 1/8" the petal is a non separated rounded bell shape, aroma
Location: Pendleton, SC
Date: 05/25/20
Beautiful bell-shaped flowers!  This one was on the water's edge
Location: Northeastern, Texas
Date: 2011-10-10
Pretty fall color
Location: Magnolia, Texas
Date: 2022-05-07
Location: Magnolia, Texas
Date: 2022-05-05
18.5' high, sandy soil under pines, 7.0 ph, USDA 2022 zone 9a, br
Location: Northeastern, Texas
Date: 2011-10-10
Location: Magnolia, Texas
Date: 2022-05-07
Location: Northeastern, Texas
Date: 2015-04-30
Location: zone 8 Lake City, Fl.
Date: 2013-05-06
underside of leaves slightly pubescent
Location: zone 8 Lake City, Fl.
Date: 2013-05-06
Location: zone 8 Lake City, Fl.
Date: 2013-05-06

USDA photo
Location: zone 8 Lake City, Fl.
Date: 2013-05-06
Location: zone 8 Lake City, Fl.
Date: 2013-05-06
Location: zone 8 Lake City, Fl.
Date: 2013-05-06
Location: zone 8 Lake City, Fl.
Date: 2013-05-06
Note the bell shape; the blooms hang downward
Location: zone 8 Lake City, Fl.
Date: 2013-05-06
Comments:
  • Posted by SongofJoy (Clarksville, TN - Zone 6b) on Jan 15, 2012 1:54 PM concerning plant:
    Farkleberry is an erect shrub or small tree common throughout the southeast, especially in dry, acidic, rocky soil conditions in woods. It has dark green, lustrous leaves that turn a fiery red, holding on late in the season before falling off to reveal attractive exfoliating bark. Small white spring flowers make way for clusters of black, inedible berries which persist into the winter. Farkleberry is a good choice for dry, acidic, rocky soil near the edge of woods. It responds well to pruning so you can have a short spreading shrub, a tall upright shrub, or a small tree.
Plant Events from our members
ricelg On December 24, 2017 Seeds sown
Winter sowed in plastic jug. Morning/early pm sun in front of north face of retaining wall by pool
» Post your own event for this plant

Discussion Threads about this plant
Thread Title Last Reply Replies
Lily of the Valley by eclayne Oct 11, 2011 9:47 PM 0
Farkleberry by eclayne May 14, 2017 7:12 PM 10

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